Switch



Jah. 26, 932.

A. AALSAKER ET AL SWITCH Filed May 27, 1927 10 Sheets-Sheet l an. 26, 1932. A. ALsAKER ET AL SWITCH Filed May 27, `192'7 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 al/f Jan. 26, 1932. A. ALsAKl-: ET AL 1,842,707

` SWITCH Filed May 27, 1927 1Q Sheets-Sheet 5 i I WVV' y J5 Je@ 7/ Jan. 26, 1932. A. ALsAKl-:R ET AL 1,842,707

`SWITCH Filed May 27, 1927 10 sheath-snee''n` 4 Jian. 26, 1932. A. ALSAKER E1' AL 1,842,707

lSWITCH Filed May 27, 1927 10 Sheets-Shea?l 5 84 KZ@ 7d Jan. 26, w32.

A. LSAKER ET Al. 1,842,707

- SWITCH Filed May 27, 1927 1o sheets-sheet 6 jan. 26, 1932. A. ALSAKER ET AL SWITCH Filed May 27, 192'? 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 Jan. 26, 1932. A; ALsAKER ET AL SWITCH 10 sheets-sheet e Filed May 27, 1927 Jan. 2@ 1932. A. ALSAKER E1' AL 1,842,707

` A SWITCH Filed May 27, 1927 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 @ff-ffii??? @f y Mm www Jan. 26, 1932o A. .ALsAKER ETAM. 1,342,707

SWITCH Filed May 27, 1927 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 fia f6? Y' KW (17655.'

F112; Nahe/776m,

etented dan. 26, 1932 i ir IIILIRED MSAJKE-R AND m NORDHEIVI, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO THE lDlEIJI'-FJTII. ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. A CORPORATION 0F IL- IIIIIS SIVIT UH Application filed May 27, 1927. Serial No. 194,608.

rlhis invention relates to disconnect switches of the vertical break type. Disconnect switches according to present practice are gang operated as a matter of convenience and rapidity of operation. `With increase in voltage greater distance of separation of the contacts of the disconnect switch are required. lissume that the movable member is an arm pivoted to swing vertically to secure such a.- separation. The longer the arm the greater leverage does the friction (or freezing)` of the contacts present to the moving force.

rIhe section of the arm could be so increased or strengthened as to stand the stress of thus i opening the blade, but that would make the switch heavy, clumsy and expensive. We conceive that if the metal which is required for conducting current could be so disposed or employed as to perform the mechanical work of opening and closing the contacts, a minimum amount of material 'would be used. f

'lo this end we have devised the present form of switch. The switch arm is provided with suitable operating mechanism, which separates the contacts by tension on the switch arm and joins them by placing the arm under compression. This also permits of another useful arrangement; namely, the disae posal of one or both of the contacts under a sleet hood or hoods.

The arm swings in a vertical plane, i. e., the plane of thepcorresponding phase conductor, thus preventing likelihood of interference between phases, Tas in a three phase system, by opening or closing the switch blades. The friction load of the contacts is thus overcome by pulling the movable blade `contact out of the stationary jaw contact, or vice versa. The separating movement, i. e., to interpose an air gap between the contacts is then secured by swinging the blade pivotally in the plane of the phase conductor. Iiikewise, the initial closing movement to de- 45 crease the gap is secured by a swinging movetovtravelendwise and also rise.

vention is useful in other relations as well.

For example, in a low tension high amperage switch where large areas of contacts are involved, it is desirable to break the contacts away from each other by a pulling motion, p

since that motion can be made very powerful due to the possibility of employing a very short lever arm. It is to be understood, therefore, that the present invention is not to be limited to any particular type or to any specific use.

' As a. further feature of the invention we provide in conjunction with the blade and switch contact housing a novel form of arcing linger or horn. `This finger or horn has a cam portion resting on the housing or similar stationary part. When the arcing linger or horn is pulled endwise by opening movement of the switch blade the finger or horn is caused This causes the finger or horn to break away sleet or ice, so that the horn 4is freed therefrom. Otherwise, the finger or horn might merely be slid endwise in a coating of ice and not freed for the succeeding swinging movement.

Now'in order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the manner' of constructing and operating our` invention, we shall in connection with the accompanying drawings del scribe a specific embodiment of the same.

In the drawings z Figure 1 is an elevation of a switch con- Figure 2 is a top plan view of the switch in' open condition;

Figure 3 is a section taken substantially on A line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a section l taken substantially on line 4 4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a section taken substantially on line 5 5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a section taken substantially on line 6 6 of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a section taken substantially on line 7 7 of, Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a section taken substantially on line 8 8 of Figure ,6;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view through the Contact jaw housing and the base portion of the switch blade stop arm showing the means of adjusting the latter, this section being taken substantially on line 9 9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a section taken substantially on line 10 10 of Figure l;

Figure 11 is `a fragmentary detail of the contact terminal portion of the blade and the arcing horns carried thereby;

Figure 12 is a top plan view of the parts illustrated in Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a section taken substantially on line 13 13 of Figure 11;

Figure 14 is an elevation of an underhung form of switch, slightly modified;

Figure 15 is a section taken substantially on line 15-15 of Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a section taken substantially on line 16 16 of Figure 15;

Figure 17 is a section takenl substantially on line 17-17 of Figure 15; l

Figure 18 is an elevation of another modilied form of switch;

Figure 19 is an elevation of a third modified form of the switch;

Figure 20 Ais a fragmentary plan view of the form illustrated in Figure 19;

Figure 21 is a section taken substantially on line 21 21 of Figure 20;

Figure 22 isa section taken substantially on line 22-22 of Figure 21, parts being broken away;

Figure 23 is a section taken substantially secured together in spaced relation in a known manner. Two stacks 2 and 3 of insulators are rigidly secured on base B, these insulators being. of known construction and rigidly secured together in a known manner. A third stack 4 of insulators is mounted on base B for oscillatory movement aboutI a vertical axis, by means of a ball bearing, or other suitable anti-friction bearing construction, indicated by 5. The stacks 2 and 4 of insulators are disposed closely adjacent each other and serve to support the switch blade and the operating mechanism therefor, stack 3 providing a support for the contact jaws and associated members.

A base plate 6 of channel cross section and approximately elongated oval shape is mounted upona post 7 extending from a cap plate 8 secured to the upper end of the topmost insulator of the stack 4. A stub shaft 9 extends -threading into stub shaft 9 and post 7. Arm

10 is provided-at its outer end with a stirrup 10b in which is pivoted one element of a universal connection 12. The other element of this connection is bored and threaded and receives one end of a connecting rod 13 of hexagonal cross section, the end portion of this rod being reduced and threaded at 13a. A'jam nut 14 is threaded on rod 13 and bears against element 12a of the universal connection 12 to lock the rod 13 in adjustment. The rod is reduced and threaded at its other end at '13b and screws into aI short sleeve 15b of element 15a of auniversal connection 15, by means of which the rod is connected to one corner of a switch blade supporting member 16 of approximately triangular shape. This member is pivoted at its apex at 17, between the upper ends of arms 18a of a U-shaped l link 18, the bight portion of which is formed by a sleeve 19. This sleeve is loosely mounted upon a pintle 20 disposed between lateral arms 2O extending forwardly and downwardly from the base plate 6, by means of screws 21 extending through the arms and threading into the ends of the pintle, washers 22 being interposed between the ends of the screws and the arms.- The arms 20 carry, at their forward ends, a cap 23 which is secured in a known manner, by cap screws, to the top of the uppermost insulator of the stack 2.

The triangular support 16 is thus mounted for swinging movement about the pintle 20 and after this support has been moved into the dotted line position illustrated in Figure 3, it can then be moved forwardly in substantially a straight line by movement of the link 18 about its pintle 20. This renders it possible to impart a combined swinging and plunging action to the support and, consequently, to the switch blade 24 carried thereby, by turning the stack 4 of insulators. lost T is provided with an arm 25 extending there from to which one end of a rod 26 is pivoted by means of a pin 27. The other end of this rod is connected by a pair of links 28 to one end of a bolt 29 slidable between the thickcned top portion 6a ot base plate 6 and a housing 30 secured to the under face of portion 6a. This bolt is disposed to engage through an eye 31 supported by arm 32 eX- tending from sleeve 19. T he arm 25 and the y crank l are so related that, in moving the switch blade 'from the open position illustrated in Figure 3 to closed position, the crank travels in a counter clockwise direction (in a clockwise direction as considered in Figure 4) through an arc of 120o moving the switch blade 24 into full closed position. The lock bolt 29 is not retracted until the crank 10 has been moved through approximately 900 of its travel, at which this bolt is retracted, the remaining of travel of the crank serving to swing the blade 24 into lowered position and to plunge it between the contact jaws of the switch. rlhis arrangement ensures that the switch is positively locked against plunging movement until it has been swung to .the proper position. Preferably, though not necessarily, we provide a stop in the form of a screw 33 tor supporting the universal connection 15 when the switch blade is in open position, this stop serving to prevent undesirable sagging and possible binding of parts while also support ing the blade against rearward movement and relieving the blade supporting and operating parts from -undesirable strains. The screw 33 is threaded into a boss 34 eX- tending from the thickened portion 6a of the base plate 6,'and is secured in adjustment by a jam nut 35 threaded on the screw and bearing against the boss.

The blade 24 is formed of copper tubing, the free end portion of which is annealed and, after cooling, is flattened cold in a punch press to provide a terminal contact element 36 for cooperating with the jaws of the switch. The other end portion of the blade is slotted longitudinally and receives the central portion of a suitable length of copper braid 38 which is secured in the blade by a brass plug 39, the ends of which are tapered. This plug is forced into the end of the blade, with the intermediate portion of the braid 38 disposed over the plug, after which the end portion of the blade is inserted in a split collar clamp 40 extending from the support 16.` This clamp is then contracted by means ot cap screws 41 which pass through one of a pair of lugs 42 extending from the clamp and thread through the other lug. This provides simple and efficient means for securing the blade to the support and also serves to compress the slotted portion of the blade so as to tightly grip the braid 38 between plug 39 and the surrounding wall of the blade 24, thus insuring good electrical connection between the braid and the blade and eiectually eliminating possibility of accidental disconnection of these parts. At each end of the braid 38 we provide a connecting lug 43 formed trom a short length of copper tubing into which is inserted the braid, this tubing being then fiattened upon the braid so as to be elfectually secured thereto. The lug 43 is bored for reception of a cap screw 44 which passes through this lug and through the end portion of a connecting strip 45 extending along one side portion and half way about the outer cnd of the base plate or member 6. T he cap screw 44 threads into the lateral wall of member 6 and a spring washer 46 is interposed between the head of the screw and the llug 43. Two of these strips 45 are provided,

each being connected to one end of the braid 38 in the manner described and illustrated. Each strip is provided at its outer end with a tab 47, these tabs being disposed with their inner faces in contact. A terminal lug 48 is secured to tabs 47 by screws 49 and nuts 50 threaded thereon, these screws also passing through the tabs 47 and serving to secure the same together. This terminal lug receives the end of a conductor or cable 51 tightly secured in the lug in a known manner.

The terminal contact element 36 of the blade cooperates with spring pressed contact jaws mounted in a housing 52 carried by a cap 53 secured by cap screws 54 to the top of l the uppermost insulator of the stack 3. This housing is of rectangular shape in horizontal section and is provided through its rearward wall with an opening 54 which accommodates strip 55 of copper braid for connecting the other terminal of the conductor or cable 51 .to the contact jaws. This housing is preferably formed in two sections, a lower sectiony 52a formed integrally with cap 53, and an upper section seating upon the lower section and secured thereto by a cap screw 56 passing through lug 57 on the lower section 52al and threading into lug 58 on the upper section 526. The lower section is also preferably provided with openings 59 through its side walls for drainage and ventilation purposes. The top of the housing is closed by a cover plate 60 seating thereon and removably secured in position by cap screws 6l which pass through lugs 62 projecting from the opposite sides of the plate, these cap screws threading into lugs 63 projecting from side cover plates 64 at the sides of the upper section of the housing. The cover plate 64 is secured to the side wall of the housing by a cap screw 65 passing through the plate centrally thereof and threading into the side wall of the housing. These cover plates receive the end portions of supporting pins 66 which extend transversely of the housing adjacent the upper and the lower ends of the upper section 526 thereof, these pins being arranged in pairs and extending loosely through the side walls of the housing. The pins 66 slidably support contact jaws 67 loosely mounted thereon, these jaws being spaced apart by spacer bars 68 mounted on the pins between the jaws. In practice the bars 68 are approximately one-eiglith of an inch in thickness and the terminal contact portion of the blade is approximately one-fourth of an-inch in thickness so that the jaws are spread about or moved-away from each other approximately one-sixteenth of an inch upon entry of the blade element between the jaws. There are two pairs of jaws and the jaws of each pair are urged toward each other by expansion coil springs 69, the inner ends of which fit about studs 70 extending from the outer faces of 'the jaws, these springs being confined between the jaws an'd the side walls of the housing. The jaw 67 is preferably formed from a suitable length of-copper tubing into which is inserted the end portion of thc copper braid 55, after which the tubing is attened in a punch press so as to provide a flat jaw or contact member the surfaces of which are.

suitably finished to insure intimate contact. with the blade element. `While we have illustrated lugs or studs 70 about which the inner ends of the springs 69 seat, we also contemplate an equivalent form in which suitable cups or -recesses are pressed into the ojiter faces of the jaws, the inner ends of the springs fitting into these recesses. Both these constructions are well known and either form desired may be employed. The other ends of the braid are inserted into suitable lengths of copper tubing which are flattened in a. press upon the braid to form terminal lugs 7l.` These lugs seat upon the upper face of a block la` formed integrally with cap 53 and are bored for reception of cap screws 7 2 which pass through lugs 71 and through the flattened terminal element of a terminal lug 73 in which is secured the end of a cable or conductor 74, which is, in fact, a continuation of the cable or conductor 5l. The cap screws 72 thread into block 53a and the heads of these screws bear upon the flattened portion of terminal lug 7 3 so as to secure the several lugs tightly in position and in close electrical connection. By removing cover plate 60 the contact jaws and associated part-s are exposed and can be readily inspected.

A pair of wing members 74 extend through an opening 75 in the inner or front wall of the upper section of the housing. These members divergeforwardly of the housing and are secured to the contact ja ws at the forward part thereof by soldering or in any other suitable or preferred manner. Due to the provision of these wing members, the expansion springs for urging the jaws of the forward part toward each other are conlined between the base element 74a of the wing members and the side walls of the housing, the studs for the inner ends of the springs being carried by the base element 7 4a. This-will be clear from `Figure 5, from which it will also be noted that the inner face 741) of each wing is smooth and flat and extends from the forward edge of the inner face of the corresponding contact jaw. These wingmembers serve to guide the contact element of the switch between the jaws and also insure proper spreading of the jaws of the /outer pair. Proper entry of the blade between the contact jaws and spreading apart of the jaws is facilitated by having the contact element 36 inclined downwardly towards the housing from its upper edge and beveled or rojinded from each lateral face at its entering end, as will be clear from Figures 1l and 12. Upon turning movement of 'the stack 4 of insulators in switch closing direction, the blade is swung downwardly into substantially horizontal position, in which position a stop plate 7 6 secured to element 36 contacts with head 7 7 of an L-shaped arm 78 secured to the forward portion of the houslink 18. This downward swinging move-- ment of the blade is immediately followed by a rectilinear movement in a horizontal plane which serves to drive the element 36 of i the blade between the contact jaws with a plunging action. By arranging the contact jaws and the housing therefor, and associated parts, in the manner illustrated and described, and moving the switch blade into and out of operative position with a combined swinging and plunging action, we produce a switch in which the jaws and other arts are effectually enclosed and protected rom the weather, this switch being particularly well adapted for use in connection with three phase systems of electrical distribution.

To insure proper aligning of the terminal contact element of the blade with the jaws we preferably provide means whereby arm 7 8 can be adjusted for raising -or lowering the head 77 thereof. For this purpose the arm is provided with-a base element 79 of channel cross section which fits about the forward portion of the lower section 52a of housing 5,2. The upper portion of hase 79 is secured to the housing by set screws 80 which pass loosely through the base and thread into the housing, spring washers 81 being interposed between the heads of the set ing. This serves to properly align contact elescrews and the base. rllhe cap screws 8O serve to loosely secure the base to the housing, and this base is adjusted around oron these cap screws by set screws 82, which thread through the lower portion of the base and bear against the housing. The cap screws 80 and set screws 82 serve to rigidly secure the arm to the housing and also to adjust the arm for varying the height of head 77. 'llie lateral flanges 7 9a of the base 79 tit snugly about the lateral faces of the forward portion of the housing and serve to hold the arm against any undesirable lateral play or looseness.

As is well recognized, it is desirable for the purpose of efficiency that the contacting faces of the blades and the vjaws be kept smooth and clean. ln the event that the contacting faces of any of the jaws become roughened or worn to an undesirable extent, due to the entry of gritty or foreign materials between the jaws, or other causes, such jaw or jaws can be readily removed and replaced. For this purpose the cover plate and the side plate 64 are removed, after which the pins 66 are removed. This releases the jaws and springs, as well as the spacing bars, and these members can be readily removed from the housing. The jaws can be removed through the openings at the lower portion of the housing if it is desired merely to clean the contacting surfaces of the jaws. 1f it is desired to completely remove the aws for repair or replacement, the cap screws 72`are removed to release the contact lugs 71, and the jaws may then be removed by lifting them through the upper end of the casing. 1n practice, the

krearward jaws would be first removed, the

forward jaws carrying the wing members 74 being removed last in order that these jaws can be moved rearwardly into the housing at an angle to pass the wing 74 through the opening 75. It will thus be seen that the construction of the housing and the mounting of the jaws is such as to permit ready inspection of the jaws without any necessity for removing them or disassembling the housing to any material extent, it also being `possible to quickly and easily remove the jaws and associated parts when necessary or desired.

To prevent arcing between the contacting surfaces of the blade and the jaws with consequent roughening and deterioration thereof, we provide arcing horns carried by the blade and the housing. An arcing horn 80. extends upwardly from the rearward portion of the housing 52. this horn being tightly sel cured in position by a clamping plate 81 and cap screws 82 extending through this plate adjacent each end thereof and threading into the thickened portion 52o of the rear wall of the housing, this thickened portion and the block being provided in their opposed faces with rounded recesses snugly receiving the lower end portions of the horn which is .each other at 83a. The horns 83 can be of either solid or tubular construction as desired. In the particular form illustrated these horns are formed from suitable lengths of copper rods bent into proper shape. The rearwardl ends of the horns are tightly clamped between a yoke 84 and the bight element 85a of a U-shaped stirrup 85 which is rockably mounted on a pin 86 extending through the arms of the stirrup and through the upper ends of arms 87 extending from a collar 88 fitting tightly aboutblade 24 and secured thereto by pin 89. Yoke 84 and bight element 85a are provided in their opposed faces with recesses receiving the end portions of the horns and the yoke is forced toward bight element 85a by a cap screw 90 passing through the yoke and threading into the bight element, a spring washer 91 being interposed between the head of the screw and the yoke. A coiled spring 92 is mounted about pin 86, one arm of this spring bearing against collar 88 and the other arm bearing against bight element 85a. the spring acting to rock stirrup 85 forwardly and downwardly of the blade so as to swing the horn 83 towards Contact element 36. As will be noted more clearly from Figure 11, each horn 83 is bent adjacent the inner end of the curved portion 83a thereof to provide an offset element or shoulder 93. When the blade 24 is swung into closed position the horns 83 contact with the topof housing 52 and are moved upwardly about pin 86 against the action of spring 92. When the blade is plunged between the contact jaws the horns are moved over the top of the housing until the shoulders 93 have reached the b ack thereof, at which time spring 92 swings the horns downwardly into such position that the portions of the horns in rear of the shoulders 93 rest upon the top of the housing and the shoulders 93 are disposed with their upper ends against the rearward edge of the top or cover plate 60. 1n the event that the horns become frozen t0 the housing, as veryfrequently happens in vcold weather as a result of sleet and rain storms, the offsets or shoulders 93 are of great assistance in breaking the horns away from the housing to permit ready opening of the switch. At the initiation of the opening of the switch the inclined shoulders 93, being in contact with the rear of the cover 60, exert a lifting effect on the horns so as to raise the same sidewise away from the cover. This effect serves to readily break the horns completely away from the housing, permitting the switch to be opened with but little effort. The horns 93 are disposed at opposite sides ofand equi-distant from horn 80 when the .switch is closed. These horns provide arclng elements between which the arcs, due to the flow of charging current on the line dur- -se-nibly 5 of Figure 1.

ing opening or closing of the switch, are dissipated without causing arcing at the contacting surfaces of the blade element 36 and the contact jaws. This insures good mechanical contact between theV blade and the jaws at all times, which is an important condiseration.

The construction illustrated in the modi'- fication of Figure14 is similar to that previously illustrated and described with the exception that the switch in this modified form is an underhung switch being disposed at the lower ends of the insulator stacks instead of at the top thereof. We also provide, in this form, a counter weight 94 having an -arm 95 extending therefrom which is mounted on pintle 20 of blade 24, this arm bein secured at 96 to the blade support. he counter weight 94 is disposed at an inclination to thearm so as to clear the blade supporting and operating structure during operation of the blade and is preferably arranged to at all times exert a lifting effect upon the switch blade tending to urge it toward closing position. When the switch is underhung the base plate 6 is inverted relative to its position illustrated in Figure 1, and for this reason we prefer to provide a cover or shield 97 for this base plate to prevent the entry of sleet and moisture, which *would at times seriously interfere with the proper operation of the switch. In all other respects the construction and operation of the switch illustrated in Figure 4 is similar to that illustrated in Figure 1.

In the modified form illustrated in Figure 18, the insulator stacks 2a, 3a, and`4a are disposed at a decided inclination and the type of insulators used in these stacks is somewhat different from the insulators used in the form illustrated in Figure 1. In both instances, however, the insulators i are of known type. Stack 3a Ais supported upon a supplemental base 98 mounted lbetween plates 99 secured to the main base 100. The stacks 2a and 4a are similarly supported on a supplemental base 101 secured between plates 102 and 103 secured to base 100 and extending upwardly therefrom. Thisl positions the connection to the operating lever well above the main supporting structure 100, so as to be readily accessible which is, at times, a decided practical advantage. It willalso be noted that the bearing assembly/104 for rockably supporting the stack 4a is somewhat different in appearance from the bearing as- In both instances, however, `'a suitable anti-friction bearing is provided to facilitate turning of the stack for closing or opening of the switch. It will also be noted that the lower section 105 of the housing for the contact jaws is much longer than lin the formillustrated in Figu're 1, and this section has a base 106 disposed at an inclination thereto and secured to the top of the uppermost insulator of the stack 3a. This is necessary in order that the contacts may be properly disposed for cooperation with the lcontact element of the switch blade. In all other respects the construction and operation of the switch is the same as that illustrated in Figure 1.

In Figures 15 and 17 we have illustrated a form of operating lever particularly well adapted for use in connection withtthe several forms of switch illustrated. This lever includes an approximately semi-circular head or yoke 107 which fits about a stub shaft 108 extending from the bearing assembly and provided at its upper end with an annular flange 109 by'means of which the shaft is secured to the insulator at the end of the stack remote from the switch blade structure. This yoke is provided with slots 110 disposed for reception of cap screws 111 by means of which the flange 109 is secured to the insulator flange. As will be noted from Figure 15, the slots 110 are elongated and set screws 112 are threaded into the ends of the yoke 107 and bear against two of the cap screws 111. By means of these set screws the yoke 107 can b e adjusted about shaft 108 to alter the relative position of arm 113 extending from the yoke. This arm is disposed 'to one side of the center of the yoke so that by reversing the yoke a further adjustment of this arm can be effected. Arm 113 is provided atits outer end with a U-shaped member or head 114 which receives eyes 115 at the ends of Shanks 116 of socket members 117.

A pintle 118 extends through eyes 115 and the arms of head 114 and is held against displacement by cotter pins 119 extending therethrough and disposed adjacent the upper and under faces of the arms. Socket members 117 receive the end portions of connecting rods 120 of tubular or other suitable material which may be formed from suitable lengthsof piping and constitute the switch actuating shaft. 'Ihe rods are secured in the socket members by U bolts 121 passing about the same and through lugs 122 of the socket. members, securing nuts 123 being threaded onto the ends of these bolts. As previously stated, our switch is intended particularly for use in connection with three phase systems. For this reason the manner of mounting and securing the operating-lever is of importance, as it permits adjustment of the levers of the three switches in such manner as to insure Ysynchronism in. operation thereof. In practice, the two rods 120 serve to establish operating connection between the three switches, and any suitable or preferred means is provided for operating d1- rectly any selected one of the operating i relatively low current.

adjustment above described may be appreelated from the following consideration Assume that the operating rods 120 are moved at a uniform linear velocity to rotate the respective insulator stacks. lt is apparent that the arms 113 will not be rotated at a uniform angular velocity but that the angular velocity of the stub shaft 108 will vary as the angle of the arm 113 with the rods 120 varies. Supposevthat all three switch units line up in the closed position but that one of the switch units operates slightly faster 'than the other two and, therefore, dees not line up with them in the open position and thereby limits the full opening of the other two switches. To slow down this fast unit the set screws 112 of that unit are loosened and the connection between the socket members 117 and the connecting rods 120 are loosened to permit adjustment of the arm 113 with reference to the stub shaft 108 and with reference to the connecting rods 120 without moving either the stub shaft or the connecting rods. The arm 113 is adjusted at such an angle to the connecting rods as to decrease the speed of operation of the unit controlled by it. llt is of course understood that instead of slowing down the fast unitthe equivalent adjustment may be obtained by speeding up the two slow units.

The several forms of switches illustrated and so far described are intended for use more particularly in connection with electrical systems employing high voltage and These switches are used in connection with voltages up to 135,000 and currents of 000 amperes or less.

ln Figures 19 to 26, inclusive, we havey illustrated an additio-nal modified form of our switch which is particularly adapted for systems employing relatively low voltages of the value of 37,000 or less, and relatively high current values of approximately 1G00 amperes or more. Although, as previously stated, none of the switches illustrated are intended for operation under load, all of 'the switches are subjected to a certain amount of current at comparatively high voltage and, in some instances, relatively high amperage, due to the presence of charges closely analogous to static charges on the line` as has been explained. The switch illustrated in Figures 19 to 26 is a multiple bladed switch and includes a' base 1254 to which are secured insulators 126 of known type. A

third insulator 127 similar to the insulators 126 is secured to a flange 128 at the upper end of an anti-friction bearing assembly of suitable type indicated by 129.r A switch blade base member 130 of rectangular crosssection extends over the upper end of insulator 127 and is provided with a central collar 131 which receives a short stud 132 eX- tending from the central portion of the upper face of a relatvely thick disc 133 secured to the top of insulator 127 by screws 134, or in any other suitable manner. A flanged cover 135 is disposed beneath the head of a cap screw 138 extendingthrough the cover and threading into stud 132. This cover eX- tends beyond collar 131 and serves to prelvent entry of moisture and foreign material thereinto. The forward portion of the casing or base member 130 is open and includes forwardly extending side arms 137 connected at their forward or inner ends by a cap 138 which lits over the top of insulator 126. A braeket'139 is mounted upon the upper face of cap 138 and is provided with a disc shaped base 140 which is secured to the cap 138 by cap screws 141, these cap screws also serving to secure the cap 138 to the insulator.

The bracket 139 supports, at its upper end, a plurality of plates 142 which are secured rigidly together in spaced parallel relation by spacing members 143 land bolts 144 passing therethrough and through the plates in a known manner, certain of these bolts also serving to rigidly secure the plates to the bracket 139, as will be clear from Figures 20 and 21. A terminal clamp of known coustruction is secured tightly about the outer ends of the plates 142 and about the end of a cable or conductor 145, this clamp servingl to establish both mechanical and electrical connection between the cableand the plates A pintle 145 extends through the inner ends of plates 142 and through the upper portions of the arms 137. A pair of links 146 is rockably mounted on this pintle, each of these links heilig provided with an eye 147 which contacts with the inner end of a bearing sleeve 148 extending from the inner face of arm 137. Connecting and spacingl plates 149 are mounted at their lower ends on pintle 145', the upperends of these plates receiving a pin 150 which also passes through the eyes at the upper ends of the links 140. The plates 149 receive between them the outer ends of contact plates or strips 151 of the switch blade structure 152. Slotted conf cavo-convex spring washers are mounted on the pin 150 adjacent the outer' faces of `the links 146.l These washers are forced washer 160 similar to washers 153 is posi-L tioned about pintle 145 and confined between the outermost plate 149 and ring 156. As ring 156 is subjected to pressure by the screw' 157, the spring washers 160 exert pressure from opposite sides of the series of plates 149 and serve to hold the same in close contact with the pla-tes 142. In this manner proper electrical connection between the plates 142 and the plates or strips 151 of the switch blade is insured while permitting proper movement of the links and associated parts for opening and closing of the switch.

The links 146 are connected at their lower ends, by means of a universal connection 161 to one endof a connecting rod 162, the other end of which is connected by a universal connection 163 to the disc 133. The connection 161-includes a sleeve 161e which receives the adjacent threaded end portion of rod ,162, the other end portion of the rod being threaded into a sleeve 163a of connection 163. This rod is provided with a central hexagonal portion for rotating the same by means of a suitable wrench, and jam nuts are provided for securing the rod in adjustment, as illustrat- I ed. This provides means for adjusting the effective length of the connecting rod to suit circumstances and insures accurate operation of the switch.

The universal connection 163 includes a vertically disposed sleeve 164 which fits between flanges of the disc 133 at the top and bottom thereof, the disc being cut away from its periphery to accommodate this sleeve and permit operation of the connecting rod. A pin 165 passes through sleeve 164 and the flanges of the disc, this pin pivotally connecting the sleeve to the disc as illustrated. Th-e insulator 127 is turned about its axis by means of the lever arrangement previously described for opening and closing the switch. During turning of the insulator the links 146 will be swung about pintle 145 due to the connections between this insulator and the links through rod 162 and associated parts. This movement of the'links serves -to move the switch blade into and outof operative position. I

A short rod 166 passes through the plates 151 of the switch blade and is held against endwise movement therethrough by nuts 167. threaded onto the rod, lock washers 168 being interposed between the nuts and the outer-` most plates 151. Suitable spacing washers 169 are mounted on'the rod between the plates 151 to hold them in spaced relation. We also preferably provide adjacent the inner free ends of the plates 151 suitable spacing means for holding these plates in proper spaced relation which means may consist in spacing collars 170 mounted between the plates and a rod 171 passing through these collars vand the plates and having its endsl beaded. Any other suitable or preferred means may be employed forholding the plates in spaced relation. Preferably the spacing means should be remote from the outer or free ends of the blades so as to permit a certain flexibility of the end portion of the blade which j contacts with the contact jaws to ensure prop-4 er engagement of the parts. Tension springs 172 have their upper ends secured to the ends of the rod 166. The lower ends of these springs are secured, .by headed studs 173, 'to the sides of the baseimember 130. As will be noted more clearly from Figure 21, rod 166 is in advance of the pin 150 upon which the plates 151 are mounted, and one of the links 146 is provided with a stop finger 175 which extends at right angles thereto and beneath the blade structure, this finger being intermediate the pin 150 and pintle 145.

The switch blade co-operates with contact jaws mounted in a housing 176 secured by set screws 177 to a supporting bracket 178 se- -cured to the top of insulator 126.

The inner or front portion of the housing 176 is open and is braced by a U-shaped stirrup 179 Secured to the lateral walls of the housing by rivets, or in any other suitable or preferred manner, the bight portion of this member receiving a brace rod 18() which threads into the base of bracket 178 and the insulator 126. This rod is held in adjustment hy a jam nut 181 and adjusting nuts 182 are threaded onto the rod above and below the right portion of member 179, providing means f or adjusting this member so as to properly support the housing 176. The housing is thus, more correctly stated, supported by means of the member 179 and extends over and about member 183 which is secured to the bracket by cap screws 177. Member 183 is provided with a plurality of vertically eX- tending fingers 184 disposed in spaced relation. The fingers intermesh with Contact jaws 185 extending forwardly therefrom, the jaws and the fingers being rigidly secured together by rivets 186.' These jaws are disposed to receive between them the contict ends of the plates or strips 151 of swi ch blade 152. Strips 187 are secured to fingers 184 in intermeshing relation therewith by rivets 188, these strips being disposed below the jaws 185 and extending rearwardly through the housing 17 6. The strips 187 re- A lll 189 and strips 187 are secured together by bolts 192 passing between the same, nuts 193 being threaded onto these bolts and spring washers 19st interposed between the nuts and the adjacent strips 187. In the operation of this switch, when the insulator 127 is turned in switch opening direction, the links 146 are turned about )intle 145 this movementwith the under edge of the blade and, upon continued movement ot the links 146, acts to swing the blade 152 upwardly into the inoperative or open position indicated in Figure lll. lilith the blade iiilthis position, the line ot tension of spring 172 is inside of pivot 145, :is illustrated. By placing pin 173 outwardly beyond the pivot the line of tension of the spring will also be outwardly beyond pivot 115 when the switch is open, and will act to hold the switch blade in full openposition. ll'hile this is not essential to the satisfactory operation ot the switch under ordinary conditions, it is desirable under certain conditions. and it is to be understood that we contemplate this variation in our invention and intend to include the same in this application.

l'n closing the switch the blade is tirst swung downwardly .in contact with the finger 175 until the lower edge of the blade contacts with a stop 195 secured on bracket 178 by a setserew 196, this set screw also serving to secure the bracket to the insulator 126. The upper end of the stop 195 is so disposed as to properly align the blade with the jaws 185.

.illiter the blade 152 contacts with the stop 195. continued movement of the links 146 n serves to move the blade toward the housing with a substantially rectilinear movement, the blade being advanced by a lunging action so as to cause the strips or plates thereof to engage between the contact jaws. This movement of the blade is permitted by the tension springs 172 and the pivotal mounting of the blade on the pin 150. It will thus be seen that in this form of switch, as in the forms previously described, the blade is moved into and out of closed position by a combined swinging and plunging action. While we have not illustrated the use of arcinghorns :in connection with all of the various forms of.

lt will be noted that, in the several forms of the switch illustrated, the plate or member upon which the switch blade is mounted is of "b anuel cross-section. This member possesses Continued i very appreciable mechanical strength and serves to eilectually brace the two adjacent insulating structures so as to maintain them in spaced relation, and 'distribute between the insulating structures strains incident to 0peration of the switch.

As above indicated, and as will be understood, changes in the arrangement and construction of parts ofthe invention may be resorted to without departing from the lield and scope of the same, and We intend to include all such variations, as fall within the scope of the appended claims, in this application in which the preferred forms only of our invention are disclosed.

What we claim is 1 ln a switch of the character described including a base plate and a lblade mounted thereon for swinging movement, blade operating means, a lock bolt slidably mounted on said plate, an eye for limiting the movement of the blade in closing direction, and connections between said bolt and the blade operating means for projecting the 'bolt into the eye when the blade is moved into open position and for retracting the bolt when the blade has been moved a predetermined distance in closing direction.

2. ln a. switch of the character described including a b ase plate, a link rockably mounti 3.k ln a switchof the character described,

a base plate, a link rockably mounted on the plate, a blade supporting member pivoted to the link, a blade secured to said member, a switch operating member mounted for oscillatory movement, a crank secured on said op-- erating member, operating connections between said crank and the blade supporting member, an eye rigid with the link, a bolt slidably mounted on the base plate for cooperation with the eye, and connections between said bolt and the operating member for projecting the bolt through the eye when the blade is opened and for retracting t e bolt after the blade has been moved a pdb determined distance in closing direction.

t. In a switch of the character described, adjacent insulating supports, a plate of channel cross-section connecting said supports, a blade mounted on the plate, contact strips eX- tending about the sides and oneend of the plate and secured to the side walls thereof, a conductor terminal lug, means securing the lug to the strips and acting to secure the ends of the strips together and to draw them tightly about the end portion of the plate, the blade having electrical connection to the plate, and blade operating means.

5. In a switch of the character described including a blade mounted'for movement into and out of operative position by a swinging action, a rotatable member, a crank arm sccured on s'aid member,'operating connections between the arm and the blade, a locking element associated with the blade mounting, means including said operating'connections cooperating with said element for lookin g the blade in open position, and connections between said bolt and the rotatable'member i'or moving the bolt into locking position when, the blade is moved into open position and for retracting the bolt and releasing the blade When said rotatable member is turned a. predetermined distance in switch closing direction. I y

6. In a switch ofthe character described, a housing, contact jaws within the housing. a blade cooperating with said jaws. means for moving the blade into and out of operative relation to the jaws through the front of the housing and with a vrectilinear movement, an arcing horn carried by the housing, arcing horns carried by the blade and cooperating with the housing horn, and means coacting with the housing for exerting a lifting effect on the blade horns for breaking them away from the housing at the initiation of opening of the switch.

7. In a switch of the character described, a housing, contact jaws-within the housing, a A blade cooperating with said jaws, means for moving the blade into and out of operative relation to the jaws through the front of the housing and with a rectilinear movement, an arcing horn carried by the housing, and arcing horns carried by the blade and co-A operating with the housing horn, lthe blade horns having elements coacting with the housing for exerting a lifting effect on the blade at the initiation of opening of the switch.l

8. In a switch of the character described, a housing, contactl jaws within the housing, a blade cooperating with said jaws, means for moving the blade into and out of operative relation to the jaws through the front of the housing and with a rectilinear movement, an arcing horn carried by the housing, arcing horns rockably mounted on the blade and disposed for cooperation with the housing horn when the blade is in closed position, and yieldable means urging the blade horns toward the blade, said blade horns having offset portions disposed to contact with the housing and exert a lifting effect upon the blade horns at the initiations of opening of the switch.'

, 9. In combination with a switch structure including a support mounted for oscillation,

an operating lever including a yoke and an arm extending therefrom at an angle to the radins of the yoke which bisects said yoke, and means for securing the yoke, to the support and i'or adjusting it about said support, said yoke being reversible.

10. ln combination with a switch structure inrhiding a support mounted for oscillation, an operating lever including a yoke and an arm extending therefrom, and means for securing the yoke to the support and for adj usting it about said support.

11. In a switch of the character described, a supporting link pivoted about a first axis, a switch blade pivoted to the link about an axis spaced from the pivotal axis of the link,l

means including a rotatable insulator for rotating the link about its axis, and means eil'ective upon a predetermined rotation of the link for locking the same against rotation and swinging the blade about the second mentiened axis.

12. A switch comprising a relatively long switch blade pivotally connected to a relatively short link, said link being pivotally mounted, means for successively swinging the link about its pivot and the blade about its pivot, a single actuator for successively imparting said lmotions, and means for locking the link against movement during the swinging of the blade.

13. A switch comprising a relatively long switch blade pivotally connected to a relatively short link, said link being pivotally mounted, means for successively swinging the link about its pivot and the blade about its pivot, a single actuator for successively imparting said motions, and means for locking the link against movement during the swinging of the blade, said locking means being controlled by said actuator.

14. An electric switch including a switch blade pivotally mounted at one end on a pivot which is movable, a contact adapted to be engaged by the other end of the blade, means for moving the pivot in a direction away from the contact to draw the switch blade out of the contact, and means including a portion of said first named means for thereafter swinging the blade about its pivot to increase the striking distance between the blade and the contact, said last means including means for holding the pivot against movement.

15. An electric switch including afswiteh blade pivotally mounted at one end on a pivot which is movable, a contact adapted to be engaged by the other end of the blade, means for moving the pivot in a direction away from the contact to draw the switch blade out of the contact, and means including a' portion of said irst named means for thereafter swinging the blade about its pivot to increase the striking distance between the blade and the contact, said last means including means for holding the pivot against 

